Electrified accordion



Sept. 24, 1963 K. BERWIN 3,104,581

ELECTRIFIED AcCoRDION Filed June 13, 1960 y 2 Sheets-Sheet l PIV/PER Nera/@RK l/ INVENTOR. Ku 1 t Ber'wa'n.

Sept. 24, 1963 K. BERWIN ELECTRIFIED ACCORDION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June l5, 1960 INVENTOR. /fur erw/n/ BY MMMMMM United States Patent 3,104,581 Y ELECTREFIED ACCORDIN Kurt Ilerwin, Flushing, NY., assigner to Chicago Musical Instrument Company, Lincolnwood, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 13, 1960, Ser. No. 35,470 13 Claims. (Cl. 34-171) This invention relates generally to an electrified accordion, and more lspecifically to an improved bass action incorporated therein.

Although the principles of the present invention may be included in various accordion actions, a particularly useful application is made in accordion bass actions of the 120- key type, each of which actions operates at least twelve reed-valves. When such action is provi-ded with the instant invention, the action also simultaneously operates a separate electrical instrument, such as a keyed organ or a keyless organ.

To this end, both the treble keys and the bass keys are provided with electrical switches which communicate through a cable with the separate instrument. The electrical switches do not interfere in any way with the operation of the accordion reeds, `so that a musician may play duettype of music from a single instrument. The various key-actuated switches are adapted to be connected into various note-producing branches of the electrical circuit of the electrical instrument, such as an organ, so that the organ requires no keys. Similarly, the instant electrified accordion of this invention is so constructed that it may have its cable plugged into an appropriate connector carried by a conventional organ wherein the keys of the conventional organ are by-passed. Thus the invention may be embodied in an instrument which is an accordion adapted to be plugged into a conventional electrical instrument, or the invention may -be embodied in a combination instrument which includes an accordion and a keyless organ.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved electriiied accordion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide s x an improved electrified bass accordion action.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved switch structure `for an electrified :bass accordion action.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an electrified accordion assembly which is so constructed `as to be selectively employable with either a keyed electrical instrument or with a keyless electrical instru-ment.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved switch structure which can be easily added to existing accordiorrs without materially altering the appearance thereof.

Many other advantages, features land additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon malcing reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

On the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is lan elevational view of 4an electrified accordion which may be constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the view being partly schematic;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken through the treble keyboard of the accordion of FIGURE l along line II-II.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a conventional portion of the bass action of the accordion of FIGURE l;

31, l @4,581 Patented Sept. 24, 1963 FIGURE 4 is an elevational View of an end portion of the bass action of FIGURE 3 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary View, partly in crosssection taken along line V--V of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a further enlarged cross-sectional view taken along VI-VI of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 7 is a schematic representation of a manner in which the various accordion switches can be employed in an electrical musical instrument.

As shown on the drawings: i

The principles of this invention are particularly useful when embodied in an electrified accordion assembly such as illustrated in FIGURE l, generally indicated by the numeral 10. The musical instrument 10 includes an accordion 11 having a treble set of keys 12 and a bass set of keys 13. The treble keys 12 actuate a conventional set of valves which regulate the vibration of reeds, and the bass keys 13 likewise conventionally oper-ate valves which regulate bass reeds. An electric switch assembly is provided for the treble set of keys which communicates through a cable 14 with a separate electrical musical instrument 15, further details of which are explained later herein in the discussion of FIGURE 7. Similarly, there is an electric switch provided which is closed with the actuation of each of the bass valves, such switches communicating through a cable 16 with corresponding notes in the electrical instrument 15.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, there is illustrated a manner and means by which a conventional treble section of the accordion 11 can be electrified. A treble action typically includes black keys 12b and white keys 12W, each of which is pivoted on a vrod or pin 17 fand is biased counterclockwise as shown by a spring 18. Each key is provided with a valve such as 18a which communicates with an opening (not shown) leading to a conventional reed chamber 19, partly illustrated. At the opposite end of the keys, there is provided for each key a guide member 20a or 20h in the nature of =a blade rigidly secured to the key, and received in guide slots defined by adjacent spaced ears 21, 22, the ear 22 being broken away to show the blade 20a in the slot. The downward travel of the key 12b is limited by a felt member 23 which is engageable ywith a stop surface 24 on one or both ears 21, 22.

To provide suchan accordion yaction with electrical switching, an elongated insulative switch plate 25 is disposed beneath the white keys 12W. The switch plate Z5 is provided with a number of resilient wire-like lingers 26, a representative one of which is illustrated, and which extend respectively beneath each of the blades 20a and 2Gb and which are resiliently biased upwardly against such lblades 20a `and Zlib. Actuation of a key 12 moves the corresponding blade 20a or 20k downwardly in its guide slot, and moves the corresponding resilient finger 26 downwardly with it. Upon release of the key, the resilient finger 26 moves upwardly. The resilient linger 26 is provided with a close wound wire helix, for example of line silver wire, illust-rated at 27, which communicates through a wire 28 with a separate branch of the electric circuit of the instrument 15 to effect readout of a corresponding note. Deflection of the key 12 causes the helix 27 of the movable finger element 26 of the switch to engage an elongated stationary element 29 extending the length of the switch plate 25, the stationary element 29 thus also being common to the various movable switch elements. The common stationary element 29 communicates through a conductor 30 with a common line in the electrical instrument circuit. The common stationary element29 is shown in end eleva-tion in FIGURE 2 and preferably is overlaid with a close wound conductive helix (not shown), similar to the winding 27 which forms a part of the movable element of the switch.

broadly V'similar to FIGURE a). Vof valve actuating structure is not necessary since such A typical bass actionsincludes l2()` keys or buttons Y arranged in two gro-ups.` The lirst group comprises the inner two rows of keys or buttons 31a, each of which opens only one valve or octavely related valves, and

veach of which operates three valves to produc-e a chord,

and hence may be ter-med as chord buttons. The buttons 31a and 31bA` are hereinafter referred` to jointly as buttons 31.

A representative sample ttrorn each group of buttons 31 is illustrated in FIGURE 3. Each of the buttons .or

keys 31 is carried by -a reciprocable member 32, 33 apf propriately guided and biased for manual actuation. A typical action of this type employs a iirst set yof twelve rockable rods 34a-34l and a second set of twelve rockable rods 34m-34x, each of Which when pivoted actuates at least one valve associated with bass` reeds (not shown, but A further illustration structure is old and known in the art. However, it'appears to be helpful to indicate that each of the recipro- `cable members, such as 32,33, is provided with a selected number of V.pins 35 which coact with lever-like rods 36 carried by the various rods 34 at Various points. Thus, a

- reciprocable member such as 33 will actuate or rock only the rod 34p to produce a solo note, while a reciprocable member such as 32 will actuate'a group of three'rods, name-ly 34h, 34e, and 34k to pnoduce achord. n

Y Referring now to FIGURE 4, it will be noted that all of the rods 34 are journaled at one end by a bearing assembly 37 in Vclosely spaced parallel relation to each other. In accordance with the principles of this 'invention, the rods 34 comprise electrically conductive material, and to each rod34a-34l there is secured an elongated 15. The shim-like member 44 is thus al conductive resilient member which is clamped into rubbing electrical engagement with each ofthe rods 34. This rubbing engagernent produces a drag or biasing force on the rods 34 which fforce is dependentiin part upon Vthe thickness or stiffness of the resilient member 44.V In a conventional bass action, when'one ofthe rods 34m-34x is rotated in response to playing of a solo buttonf31a, the correspond ing octavely related kone of the rods 34a-34] is freed -to v rotate in response to gravity acting on the pins 36. The biasing force from the member 44 thus precludes rotation of a chord rod 34a-34l during playing of` a` solo button 31a. Y Y

Referring again to FIGURE 4, there is illustrated an alternate :or additional resilient means for providing a biasing `force on the rods 34a-341. Each rod 34a-341` is provided with a radially extending pin 64 to which is secured yone lend of a light extension spring 62, the other end of which engages a conductive plate 63.V The springs yieldably rotatably bias the rods 34a-341 against their respective stops (not shown), to preclude unwanted rota'- tion, and rfreely yield in response to, nor-mal driven rod rotation. If the member 44 is omitted, the leadwire 45' museau-341.

electrical Contact 38 which extends radially therefrom in a .common direction, lsuch direction in this View being perpendicular to the drawing. 'I'he instant invention tur` ther includes :an insulative-mounting block 39 carried by a .mounting bracket 40 which is suitably apertured so that the mounting block 39 may support a corresponding number of elongated contacts 41 in a manner Iwherein they j are insulated from each other and from kthe mountingr rvbracket 40. Each of the contacts 41 typically comprises comparatively stiff wire, one end of which is stationarily supported. The contacts or Wires 41 likewise extend, in

may be connected t-o the plate 63 since in the action construction,VV the rods 34m-34x are not insulated from the y 'Ilhe lsolo rods 34m-34x, at their ends opposite'those shown in FIGURE 4, are provided with a switch assem` blysuch as illustrated in FIGURE 4 .for the chord rods 34a-34l, exceptV that the member 44 is omitted. Thus each' rod 34me34xalso has a contact 3S extending radially therefnom ina common direction, which cooperaies with another set of staggered elongated contacts 41 .insulatedly carried by a `suitably v:supported insulating block, a portion of the additional contacts 41 being provided with insulating sleeves 43 as shown. Each contact 41 of the second setis adapted by means of a leadwire V42a (FIGURE 7) to be connected to la separate branch in the electric circuit of the instrument 15 to veffect read- 'out of a single electrically produced note which corre-V y sponds to the reed tone being simultaneously produced.V

Referring now to FIGURE 6, the detailed structure Y of each contactassernbly '3S isfillustrated. Each of the a common direction transverse to the direction of .the 1 contacts 38. It is apparent from this View, that `rocking of each rod 34a-34i will bring its contact 38 into engagement with the adjacent stationary contact 41. Each of the contacts 41 isadapted through a lead wire 42 to be .connected to' a separatebranch in the electricvcircuit of` the instnument l15 to ede'ct simultaneous readoutjofa chord of three corresponding electrically pro-duced notes.V

It will lbe noted that each of the various contacts38 are :secured to a rod 34a-341 at points lwhich are staggered axially along the rod from the points -at which the oontact38 in the directly adjacent .rods vare attached. `If desired, insulating 'sleeves 43 may be provided for certain of the contacts 41 to insure against electrical `engagement withran adjacent contact 38. The staggering, however, v

v obviates the need for such insulators for most of the contacts 41, since, in this embodiment, two-thirds of the contacts 41 areengaged at a point which extends axially beyoud an adjacent contact 41. Thus the contacts 41 also Aare of staggered length With respect to each directly adjacent parallel contact 41.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, the invention further includes a resilient shim-like member 44vwhich is clamped betweenblocks 37a and 37b and a felt 37C jointly com- .prising the bearing block assembly 37. The shim-like y .member 44 thus connects all the rods 34 and Ytheir contacts 3S together as -a group. The shim-like member44 Visprovided with a lead wire 45 which communicates with a common line inlthe electrical circuit ofthe instrument rods34 is provided with an aperture 46which receives a pin 47 which projects radial-ly Vfrom the rod 34. 'l On the exposed end of the pin 47, there is provided a closevWound conductivehelix of flexible wire, such as silver,

illustrated `at 4S, iwherc it .isseen that itis supported coiaxially on the short rigid pin 47 and that it projects axially therebyond to provide a portion which is flexible in V`anyidirection including Vthe direction of engagement.

In electronic organs, a known structure includes twelve Imasteroscillator stages, each `tuned to the uppermost Each isalso coupled to a cascaded frequencyy divider network which has a number of readout points or elements coupled to the ksub-o ctavely related key-actuated switches. Thus each key communicates with a different circuit branch. An Yexampleyof such lan arrangement is shown in the patent to Larsen et al. No. 2,568,644. This general arrangement may be provided using master oscillators as taught in the Anderson Reissue Patent No. 24,743, each of which employs a readout circuit which is electronically ycoupled to the oscillator by switching of a B+ voltage, to `driven divider network having corresponding readout 12 through its movable element 26 is connected by the Ycontactor 28 to a readout point in such a circuit, such. point having a frequency corresponding'to'the reed-note frequency. In like manner, each of the bass buttons 31b lis'connectediby its contacts 38, 41 through the conductor 42 to a readout point in such circuit of corresponding frequency. Y

In the instant invention, each of treble keys In electric organs, a further known circuit structure includes an additional divider or solo network which is ldriven at a selected solo frequency by an amplied signal which is obtained selectively from any one of the lforegoing twelve oscillators in response to key-actuated electronic switching. A-n example of such an -arrangement is shown in the patent to Anderson et al. No. 2,811,887. Ln the instant invention, each of the solo Ibass buttons Sia is connected by its contacts 33, 41 through the conductor 42a to a readout point which governs the electronic switching of driving or controlling signals yfor the added divider network.

A fragmentary schematic representation of the ltoregoing Ibass key circuits is shown in FiGURE 7. Each of the radially extending contacts 38 communicates with the conductor 45 which communicates with a common line in the electrical circuit of the instrument 15. In a representative embodiment of this invention, the line 45 communicates with a source fof B+ voltage 49. This places all the metallic portions of the mechanical bass action at a B+ potential, the same being fully enclosed by the housing of the accordion and the insulative keys 31.

Each of the stationary contacts 41 operated by the chord buttons Sib communicates through a line 42, through a separate branch 50` of the electric circuit of the instrument 15, with a separate readout element. Although only one branch is illustrated, it will be understood that a circuit branch is coupled with an individual master oscillator or divider stage `for each contact 41, and the output frequencies of the various branches are combined as at i to feed through a timbre control 52 to an ampliiier 53 and thence to a loudspeaker 54. The branch Si) includes an indirectly heated cathode 55, a control grid 56, and a further grid 5'7 serving as a plate. The triode including the elements 55-57 comprise parts of a stable oscillating circuit which oscillates continuously at a preselected tuned Afrequency determined by a tank circuit 50c:f When a chord button Sib is played, the three corresponding switch elements 38 are closed, thereby bringing B+ voltage through a resistor 58 in each branch to an additional plate 59 which thereby becomes electronically coupled to the oscillator without placing a load thereon so that three chordally related oscillation 'frequencies are impressed on the point 51 through a resistor 60. 'In this manner, the electrically produced signal within an oscillator or divider stage is read out by the closing of the accordion key. The details of the disclosed oscillator are known in the art, and are disclosed, for example, in the Anderson Reissue Patent No. 24,743. It is to be -understood that the particularly `disclosed readout circuit is representative, and is not disclosed by way of limitation. `Other sources of audio frequency may be employed, such as diierent oscillators, cascaded divider circuits, etc., each of which may have one or more readout points.

Similarly, the conductor 36 of FIGURE 2 may be connected to the source of B+ voltage 49 and the various conductors 28 may be connected to various branches Sil of the electrical circuit of the instrument 15. If desired, a capacitor 61 may be employed to delay the initiation of readout electrically by a time corresponding to that required by the accordion reeds to vibrate audibly after the corresponding valve has been opened.

Each of the stationary contacts 41 operated by the vchord buttons 31a communicates through a line 42a through a separate branch `65 of the electric circuit of the instrument with a separate readout element. Although only one branch 65 is illustrated, it will be understood that a circuit branch for each contact 41 is electronically coupled with or switched into circuit with a divider network `66 4which lfeeds through :the timbre control 52 to the amplitier 53 and loudspeaker 54. The branch 65 includes a conductor 67 connected to the platescreen 57 lfrom which a control signal is obtained. The control signal passes through a blocking capacitor 68,

through a resistor 69 to one side of a cold cathode gas discharge tube 7i). The other side of the tube 70 joins With the other eleven solo branches at a point 71 which is coupled to an amplifier tube 72. The amplifier tube 72. is connected to the divider network 66 to control its frequency of oscillation. Normally the voltage across each of the electronic switching tubes 70 is below the ignition potential thereof so that the voltage at the point 71 is negligible. When the contacts 38, 41 are closed by depressing a solo button 31a, a B+ voltage is conducted through the resistor 73 to ignite the tube 7b, thereby rendering it conductive. This condition couples readout circuit 65 with the divider network 66 to produce a corresponding solo note.

A plurality of branches 5t) may be simultaneously actuated to produce chords, but since the divider network is stably responsive to only one control frequency at a time, only one of the branches 65 can properly be coupled to the divider network 66 at a time. However, one of the branches 65 may be coupled to the divider network 66 concurrently with operation of one or more of the branches Sti, as may be desired.

The accordion 11 may be operated in a conventional manner with the cables 14 and 16 disconnected. Further, the accordion 11 may be operated with one or both of the cabies 14 and 16 connected as shown to a keyless organ, or to corresponding points which bypass keyoperated switches of a keyed organ. Still further, electrical connection and disconnection ofthe cables 14 and/ or i6 ymay be eiiected by turning the B+ supply 49 on or ofi by means of a switch 74. When the B+ supply y49 is connected to both of the treble and bass keyboards, depression of a treble key 12 or a bass key 13 not only etleots sounding of the corresponding accordion reed notes, but also effects readout of a corresponding electrical signal or signals which are suitably iiltered and amplied and then converted to sound by the loudspeaker 54. It is now apparent that depression of any treble key 12 or bass key 31a closes the readout circuit for a single circuit branch, and that depression of any bass key 31b effects simultaneous readout of a number, such as three, of harmonically related audio frequency sources to rproduce a chord.

Although various minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon `all such embodiments as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

l claim as my invention:

1. A bass action for an accordion comprising in combination: a set of key-actuated reciprocable members; a number of lelectrically conductive rockable rods each adapted to operate a different accordion valve, and each adapted to be rocked in response to reciprocation of at least one of said members; means for connecting said rods 4as a group to a common line in an electrical circuit; an elongated electrical contact carried by each of said rods and extending radially therefrom; and a number of substantially stationary contacts insulated from each other, `adapted to be connected to separate branches in said electrical circuit, and adapted to be respectively engaged by one of said elongated contacts when the corresponding rod is rocked.

2. A bass action ttor an accordion comprising in combination: a set of key-actuated reciprocable members; a number of rockable rods each adapted to :operate a idilierent accordion valve, and :each adapted to be rocked in response to reciprocation of at least one `oi said members; an elongated electric contact carried by each of said rods and extending radially therefrom; means connecting said elongated contacts together electrically as a group, said group being adapted to be connected to a common line in an electrical circuit; and a number of other contacts, each having stationary individually insulated support, and each andassi tion; rneans connecting said elongated contactsy together electrically as a group, said group being `adapted to be connected to a common line in an electrical circuit; and a number Y,of other elongated contacts `extending in' acornrnon direction transverse to the rst named common idirection, cach having stationary individually insulated support, and each adapted to be connected to separate branches in said electrical circuit, and to be engaged by one of said elongated contacts in response to rocking of y the correspon-ding rod, the contacts extending in one of said common directions being flexible lin the direction of engagement. t

4. A bass action for an accordion comprising in combination: a set of key-actuated reciprocable members; a number of closely spaced 'parallel' rockablerods each y adaptedto operatea different accordion valve, and each adapted to be rocked in response toreciprocatio-n of at least one of said members;V anelongated electric contact lcarried by each of said rods and extending radially therefrom in a common direction, each contact being secured to its rod at a point staggered in an axial direction along Y its rod from the contacts otf each directly adjacent rod; inea-ns connecting said elongated contacts together electrically as al group, said 1gnoup being adapted to be connected to a common line in an electrical circuit; and a number of ot-herr elongated contacts extending in a common directiontransverse to the lirst named common direcv 8k gated contacts in response to rocking of the corresponding rod.y

7. bass action for ianfaccordion compri-sing in combination: a set of key-actuated reciprocable members; a number of rockable rods each adapted to :operate a difier- .ent accordion valve, and each adapted to be rocked in response to reciprocation ot at least one of said members; a short rigid pin carried by each of said rods and extending radiallytherefroman elongated electrical contact tion, each vhaving a length staggered in extent tfrom that a diierent accordion valve, and each adapted to be rocked Y i Y in response to reciprocation of at least one of said members; an elongated electric contact carried by each of said rods and extending radially therefrom; a conductive resilient shim-like member clamped into rubbing electrical engagement with each of said rockab'le rods, said shim-like member being adapted to be connected to a common Iline in an electrical circuit; and a number of other contacts,

each having stationary individually insulatedsuppor-t, and t eachadapted to be connected to separate branches in said electrical circuit, and to be engaged by one of said elongated contacts in response to rocking of the corresponding rod. Y, f

6. VA bass action for an accordion comprising in cornbination: asset of key-actuated reciprocable members; a number of rockable rods each adapted to operate a :diierent accordion valve, and each adapted to be rocked in response to reciprocation ofat least `one of said members;

Y an elongated electrical contact ycomprising av close-Wound yilexible helix carried by each of said rods and extending radially from each of said rods; means connecting said elongated contacts together electrically `as a group, VVsaid group being adapted to be connected to a common line in an electrical circuit; and a number of other contacts,

'each having stationary individually insulated support, and

each adapted to be connected to separate branches in said electrical circuit, to be engaged by one of said Velon- Vcomprising a close-Wound conductive flexible helix supported coaxia-lly on'each of the rigid pins and `extending therebeyond away .from the supporting rigid pin; means ,connecting said elongated contacts together electrically as a group, said :group being adapted tok be connected toa common line in an electrical circuit; and a number of otherk contacts,.eaoh having stationary individually insulated support, andV each adapted to be connected tot separate branches in said electrical circuit, and to be engaged by one of said elongated contacts in responseto rocking of the'corresponding'rcd. y

8. kA musical instrument comprising in combination: an

Vaccordion having a treble set and a bass set of keys, the

treble keys being connected to operate a set of kvalves to the several treble reeds, and the bassV keys being connected to a bass action to operate a set of valves to the several bass reeds; a separate switch dor each or the treble keys, each of the switches having a movable element; each of the treble keys being also connected to operate respectively said movable elem-ent of Ithe correspond-ing switch; a common stationary element engageable by the movable elements when any of the corresponding treble keys are actuated; said bass action including a nurnber of rockable rods each adaptedto be rocked in response .to actuation of atleast one of the bass keys; an elongated electric contact carried by each of said rods and extending radially therefrom; means connecting said elongated contacts together electrically as a group, said group and said cornmon stationary treble element being adaptedv toV be Vconp nected to a common line in an electric :organ circuit; and

a number of other contacts, each having stationary individually insulated support, and adapted to be engaged by one of said elongated contacts in response to rocking of the corresponding action rod; each of said other stationary contacts and each of said movable treble switch elements being adapted to be connected to separate branches in the electric organ circuit ttor eiecting readout of corresponding organ notes.l

9. In abass action for an accordion, said action including a valve-actuating rod, which is rockably supported, for each note, the improvementof'an electric switch str-ucture rior coupling said action to an electrical musical instrument, said switch structure comprising in combination therewith: 1an elongated electric contactsecured to said rod and extending radially therefrom; a stationary contact insulatedly supported to be engaged by said elongated contact in response to rocking of said rod; and means [for Vconnecting said elongated contact and said stationary contact into an electrical note-producing circuit of the electrical musical instrument.

y10. A bass action for an accordion comprising -n combination: a set of key-actuated reciprocable members; a tirst and a second group of parallel rockable rods each adapted to operate one of ia'sgroup `of accordion valves, each of said rods in said iirst group being adapted to be rocked in response to reciproca-tion or one Iof said members, and said rods in said -second group being adapted to be rocked three at a time in response to reciprocation of other of said members; a pair of switch assemblies respectively associated With each of said groups :of rods, each of said switch assemblies 'tcornpr-ising'an elongated conta-ct carried by each of lsaid rods in one of the groups of rods, `and extending radially therefrom, and a number of other contacts having stationary individually insulated support, and adapted t-o be engaged by one-of said elongated contacts in response to rocking of vthe corresponding rod;

means connecting all said elongated contacts together electrically for connection to a common line in an electrical circuit; means rior connecting, said other contacts of one of said switch assemblies to separate lbranches in the electrical circuit; 'and means Ifor connecting said other contacts of the other of said switch assemblies to other separate branches in .the electrical circuit.

`11. A bass action for an accordion comprising in combina-tion: a set of key-actuated recipr-ooable members; a first and a second grou-p of parallel rockable rods each adapted to operate one `of a Igroup of accordion valves, each of said rods in said rst gro-up being adapted to be rocked in response to reciprocation of one of said members, and said rods in said second group being adapted to be rocked three at a time in response to reciprocation of other of said members; resilient means continually acting on said rods of said second 'group to preclude inadvertent rotation thereof while a corresponding rod ci said first group is rocked; a switch assembly for at least said second group of rods, said switch assembly comprising an elongated contact carried by each of said rods in said second group of rods, and extending radially therefrom, and a number of other contacts yhaving stationary individually insulated support, and adapted :to be engaged by one of said elongated contacts in Vresponse to rocking vot the corresponding rod; means connecting all said elongated contacts together electrically for connection to a common line in an electrical circuit; and means for connecting said other conta-cts of said switch assembly to separate branches in the electrical circuit.

12. A bass action for an accordion comprising in combination: a set of key-actuated reciprocable members; a first and a second group of parallel rockable rods each adapted to operate one of a group of accordion valves, each of said rods in said rst group being adapted to be rocked `in response to reciprocation of yone of said members, vand said lrods in said second `,group being adapted to be rocked three at a time in response to reciprocation of other of said members; resilient means continually acting on said rods of said second group to preclude inadvertent rotation thereof while a corresponding rod of said first group is rocked; a switch assembly for at least :said second group .of rods,said switch assembly comprising an elongated contact carried by each of said rods in said second group of rods, and extending -radially therefrom, and a number of other contacts having stationary individually insulated support, and adapted to be engaged by one of said elongated contacts in response to rocking of the cor- 'l0 responding rod; said resilient means also being adapted to connect all said elongated contacts to a common line in an electrical circuit; and means for connecting said other contacts of said switch assembly to separate branches in the electrical circuit.

13. A musical instrument :comprising in combination: an accordion having a treble set and a bass set of keys, the treble keys `being connected to operate a set of valves for the treble reeds, and there being two groups of bass keys, the iirst group of bass keys being connected to a first bass :action section to operate individual-note valves for the several bass reeds, and the second group of lbass keys being connectedto a second bass action section to operate chordally related valves for the several bass reeds; each of the treble 'keys vbeing also connected to operate respectively the movable element of a switch; a common stationary element engageable by the movable elements when any of the corresponding treble keys are actuated; said first .bass action section including a num-ber of rockable rods adapted to be rocked individually in response to actuation of said first group of bass keys, and said second `bass action section including another number of rockable rods adapted to be rocked three at a time in response to actuation of said second 'group of bass keys; an elongated electric contact carried by each of said rods and extending radially therefrom; a number yof. other contacts each having stationary individually insulated support and adapted to be engaged by one of said elongated contacts in respon-se to rocking of the corresponding rod; means connecting 'all said elongated contacts and said common stationary treble element together and to a common line in an electric organ circuit; each of said movable .treble switch elements and each `ot such other stationary contacts .as are associated -with said second bass action section rods being adapted to be connected to separate branches in the electric organ circuit for effecting simultaneous readout of corresponding organ notes; and each of such other .stationary contacts as `are associated with said first bass action section rods being adapted to be connected to separate branches in the electric `organ circuit for effecting readout of cnly one corresponding organ note at a time.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A BASS ACTION FOR AN ACCORDION COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A SET OF KEY-ACTUATED RECIPROCABLE MEMBERS; A NUMBER OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE ROCKABLE RODS EACH ADAPTED TO OPERATE A DIFFERENT ACCORDION VALVE, AND EACH ADAPTED TO BE ROCKED IN RESPONSE TO RECIPROCATION OF AT LEAST ONE OF SAID MEMBERS; MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID RODS AS A GROUP TO A COMMON LINE IN AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT; AN ELONGATED ELECTRICAL CONTACT CARRIED BY EACH OF SAID RODS AND EXTENDING RADIALLY THEREFROM; AND A NUMBER OF SUBSTANTIALLY STATIONARY CONTACTS INSULATED FROM EACH OTHER, ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO SEPARATE BRANCHES IN SAID 